The almost daily new discoveries by use of the Hubble Telescope and deep space probes creates an urgent need for students to gain a basic understanding of the universe; this Jackdaw helps lay the groundwork. Astronomers’ fascination with the heavens from the late 19th century to modern times is examined through hands-on letters between scientists, astronomical charts, illustrations and photographs. Historians: Colin Ronan and Gerald Leach. The contents of this Jackdaw feature:

Broadsheets

The Universe

The Problem of Nebulae

The Telescope Maker

Splitting Starlight

The Galaxies

Historical Documents

Two maps of the heavens, 1790.

A nebula and a galaxy as seen by William Herschel, Lord Rosse, William Huggins and Edwin Hubble.